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Climate
in Orissa
Orissa, on the eastern sea board of India, enjoys a
tropical monsoon type of climate like most other parts
of the country. Its annual average rainfall is about
200cm. The south-west monsoon normally sets in between
5th June in the coastal plain, and by 1st July the whole
of the state is under the full sway of the south-west
monsoon. By 15th October, the south-west monsoon
withdraws completely from Orissa. Orissa, on the eastern
coast of India, is not directly influenced by south-west
monsoon branch from the Bay of Bengal like the west
coast, but the annual cyclones from the Bay of Bengal
influence it and bring copious rain with two seasonal
peaks, July-August and October-November. During the
winter, except Northern Orissa, all other parts remain
almost dry.
Rainfall
Monsoon rainfall is of highest importance as it
directly controls the crop condition in Orissa. Monsoon
rainfall is considered 'high' when it is above 140cm and
'low' when it is less than 120 cm as this is barely
sufficient for a good paddy harvest. Winter rainfall
helps the growth of the second crop in Orissa and hence
is of importance. A total rainfall of above 5 cm during
the winter has been taken to be 'high' while less than
2.5cm is 'low' in Orissa.
Cyclones
Flood and drought are common to many states in India,
but only a few states are subject to cyclones and
tornado. Orissa is one of the few. Cyclone has in recent
years become a regular feature like flood and drought.
The cyclonic storms during the monsoon which originate in the
Bay of Bengal often cross the east coast between
Paradeep and Chandbali and make a north-west ward
journey. They proceed over Kendujhar and head towards
Sambalpur and then decrease in intensity. There are two
cyclonic peaks in their occurrence, one during May-July
and the other during October-November. As far as the
periodicity of the occurrence of the storms is
concerned, the maximum number of cyclones occurred
during south-west monsoon period (154) followed by the
post-monsoon period of the north-east monsoon (70) and
pre-monsoon period (57).
Seasonal Divisions
Orissa experiences three main seasons, but the year is
locally divided into six seasons.
Grishma (Summer), Baisakha and Jyestha (mid-April to
mid-June)
Barsa (Rainy season), Ashadha and Sravana (mid-June to
mid-August)
Sharad (Autumn), Bhadraba and Aswina (mid- August to
mid-October)
Hemanta (Winter), Kartika and Margasira (mid-October to
mid-December)
Sisira (Winter), Pausa and Magha (mid-December to
mid-February)
Basanta (Spring), Falguna and Chaitra (mid-Feb to
mid-April
These six local seasons are grouped into three main
seasons:
Basanta and Grishma (Summer)
Barsa and Sharad (Rainy season)
Hemanta and Sisira (Winter)
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